Notice of Privacy Practices & Patient Authorization
This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed, and how you can get access to this information. Please read this notice carefully.
Who We Are
The People’s Pain Clinic is a HIPAA-covered entity providing acupuncture and integrative medicine services in Kirkland, WA. Kathryn Pierce, L.Ac., MSOM is your provider and the designated Privacy and Security Officer for this practice.
What Information We Collect
We collect and maintain the following Protected Health Information (PHI):
- Personal identifiers: full legal name, date of birth, phone number, email address, and biological sex
- Health history, intake information, and symptom details
- Clinical notes, assessments, treatment plans, and progress documentation
- Billing and insurance information, where applicable
How We Use and Disclose Your Information
We use and share your PHI only as permitted by HIPAA:
- Treatment: To provide, coordinate, and manage your acupuncture care
- Payment: To process insurance claims, submit billing codes, and collect payment for services
- Healthcare Operations: To evaluate and improve the quality of care provided
- Referrals & Care Coordination: To communicate with your primary care provider or referring physician when necessary for your treatment
- Legal Requirements: To comply with applicable laws, including mandatory reporting or court orders
What We Will Never Do
- Sell, rent, or share your PHI with any third party for marketing or commercial purposes
- Share your information with family members or anyone outside your direct care team without your written authorization (a signed Release of Information form)
- Send PHI via standard email or text message
How to Share Your Health Information With Us
There are two approved ways to share your health information with this practice:
- By phone — information shared verbally is documented in writing and stored securely in your clinical record
- Through the secure client portal at thepeoplespainclinic.com — you may upload documents, complete your health history, fill out forms, sign consents, and message your provider securely
Please do not share health information via standard email, social media, or text message. These channels are not secure.
Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your protected health information. To exercise any of these, contact us through the client portal or by calling (425) 600-5856.
- Right to Access: You may request a copy of your health records at any time
- Right to Amend: You may request a correction if you believe information is inaccurate or incomplete
- Right to Restrict Disclosures: You may request limits on how your information is used or shared
- Right to Confidential Communications: You may ask us to contact you in a specific way or at a specific location
- Right to an Accounting of Disclosures: You may request a list of instances in which your PHI was shared outside of treatment, payment, or operations
- Right to a Copy of This Notice: Available at any time upon request, free of charge
This information is shared only with insurance companies and billing platforms and only for payment and reimbursement purposes.
Your information is never shared beyond what is required and never for marketing or non-billing purposes.
Our Duties
The People’s Pain Clinic is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information, to provide you with this Notice, and to follow the terms of the notice currently in effect. We reserve the right to update this Notice. Any changes will be made available through our website and client portal.
How to File a Complaint
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact this practice directly through the client portal or by calling (425) 600-5856. You also have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights at www.hhs.gov/ocr. Filing a complaint will never affect the quality of care you receive.